Viola Thomas-Hughes for US Congress (NJ-2)

Background:

I, Viola Thomas-Hughes, first ran for political office in 1994 and won as Committee-Woman for the Township of Fairfield, Cumberland County. Since that time, I have served as Committee Woman in 1995, 1997, and 1998, and as Deputy Mayor from 1999 to 2003.

I have been employed by the State of New Jersey for the past 32 years, starting with the Vineland Developmental Center, and am currently employed as a Program Development Specialist 1 by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

In 1996, I was the first female Afro-American Mayor in Cumberland
County and the second in the state of New Jersey. Presently, I am a Committeewoman for Fairfield Township.

Born in Bridgeton, New Jersey, I attended and graduated from the Gouldtown Elementary School and from Bridgeton High School. In 1979, I received my A.S. from Cumberland County College, New Jersey, and in 1986, I received my B.A. in Psychology from Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey.

I am a proud member of the Distinguished Alumni at Cumberland County College, 1998. Additionally, I am a National Congress Black Women, an Ordained Minister and member of Glory Tabernacle Church in Bridgeton, New Jersey, a Notary Public, a Distinguished Alumni Board Member at the Cumberland County College, a member of the Governor's Council for Affordable Housing, a Hall of Fame Inductee at the Bridgeton African-American Union, a Sunday School Superintendent at Glory Tabernacle Church, and a Foster Parent for Mentor New Jersey.

In the year 2000, I was an Honorary Speaker for Fairfield Township Middle School and, in 1989, a Distinguished Alumni Honoree at the Cumberland County College.

I am the daughter of Albert Thomas (deceased) and Carrie B. Summersett-Thomas. My husband, Melvin Hughes, and I have seven children and ten grandchildren. We are proud residents of Fairfield Township, Cumberland County.

Goals:

It's Time for a Change, I want to be a voice for the people. To bring honesty & integrity back to government.

Issues:

War in Iraq, Civil Rights, the Economy

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots organizing is at the core of my campaign.

DFA Values:

I believe that we need to bring in the United Nations to help stabilize Iraq and bring our troops home as soon as possible, a woman's right to choose, Affirmative Action, real campaign reform, full funding of the education system without 'vouchers', affordable and alternative energy sources, preservation and conservation of the environment, reduce the tax burden on the middle class, freedom of speech and Internet neutrality, affordable and accessible health care for all, true Social Security reforms without privatization, safety and security against terrorism without compromising civil rights, and preserving the social 'safety net' for the poor. We also cannot continue to mortgage the future of our country and our children. We need to reign in government spending, mainly through bringing our troops home from Iraq, and eliminating wasteful spending with no-bid contracts for favored vendors.